SOCIOLOGY INEQUALITY CONCEPTS a Stratification and Social Inequality

  • Slides: 10
Download presentation
SOCIOLOGY INEQUALITY CONCEPTS (a)

SOCIOLOGY INEQUALITY CONCEPTS (a)

Stratification and Social Inequality Stratification – the process of dividing people within society into

Stratification and Social Inequality Stratification – the process of dividing people within society into groups. It a way of learning about the society around us. Categories used to stratify people has changed over time. Feudalism – was a medieval European system in which there was a hierarchy where the different layers are known as estates. People in higher estates were more privileged and it was primarily decided by birth. Social Class – has replaced feudalism in Europe currently. The classes are upper, middle and working. It is decided by income, occupation, and store of wealth. Social Mobility – movement between layers or groups in society. It is easier in a open system but hard in a closed. Dividing people into the groups according to gender, age, race/ethnicity, class and disability is to treat them all differently, which is a form of inequality. Social inequality – unequal distribution of resources e. g. money and power and life chances to do with education, employment and health.

Power Power – a key concept, the ability of an individual or a group

Power Power – a key concept, the ability of an individual or a group to get what they want despite opposition from other people. The fact that some people have more power than others indicates that society is unequal. Max Weber said power comes from coercion or authority. Coercion – use of force, no choice, may be subjected to violence. Authority – willingly obeying someone because we think it is the right thing to do, force is unnecessary. Max Weber also identified three types of authority (sources of power); Traditional – custom based, customary e. g. monarchy. Rational/legal – law and rule based e. g. obeying your boss. Charismatic – personality based, we believe they have extraordinary personal powers that inspire us e. g. Ghandi. Power relations are found everywhere. One person or group is always dependent on another and what they are able to do is controlled by power holders e. g. employers and boss. Sometimes relationships between these two groups can be strained and there might be struggle e. g. workers striking.

Power Concepts (1) These concepts all show inequality of some kind; Stereotype – generalised,

Power Concepts (1) These concepts all show inequality of some kind; Stereotype – generalised, oversimplified view of the typical characteristics and behaviours people may expect from members of a social group. Based on how all societies have stratification systems and the next step is trying to work how all the groups are supposed to behave. Examples, all girls like dresses, all men like football etc. Members of majority group develop ideas about a minority group. Prejudice – judging an individual or group without knowing all the facts. Stereotyping is a sort of prejudice. Involves expecting all members of a social group to behave in certain ways, even though you haven't met everyone from that group. Does not involve action, its purely in the mind. Discrimination – treating an individual or members of a group unfairly – because of prejudice. Prejudice and discrimination are inked but not the same, Examples, thinking young people are lazy, black people are uneducated. Power – stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination work best if the group inflicting them has more power. Minority groups have less power. E. G. if a ethnic minority have a problem with the ethnic majority than not much will happen. However if it’s the other way there will be trouble in society. As a result, stronger group is doing what it wants at the expense of weaker group.

Power Concepts (2) Scapegoat – a group or an individual being blamed for things

Power Concepts (2) Scapegoat – a group or an individual being blamed for things that are not their fault. Folk Devils – if groups are seen as a threat to society. Using young people as scapegoats has created a sense of unity. Media created Moral Panic e. g. mods and rockers. Status – how much importance a person has in their role e. g. a taxi driver compared to a doctor. Can either be achieved or ascribed. Prestige – respect and admiration given to someone or something simply because of a reputation for high quality, success, or social influence. Basically high status. If certain groups with prestige there must be others who are lacking it. Social inclusion – people who take part in different activities in society e. g. going to school, having a job and going to the cinema. Social exclusion – being shut out from society’s social, economic, political and cultural life. Marginalisation – another way of describing social exclusion. Process by which some groups are pushed to the edge of society and therefore are unable to take part in life most people do. Reasons for this may be; low or lack of education, having a problem family, parents in long-time unemployment, racism and poor health.

Life Chances Life Chances – opportunities for achieving positive or negation changes as they

Life Chances Life Chances – opportunities for achieving positive or negation changes as they progress through life. Examples are healthy or ill, wealthy or poor, low and high education and low or high quality living. They are not equally distributed between groups in society. Things like age, gender etc can affect life chances. M. Shaw looked into the 2001 census of health to show this. Shaw also looked into life expectancy and why women are living longer than men. Also found that the life expectancy gap between social classes are widening. Capital – a store of wealth and is linked to life chances because it hold the idea that the more capital someone has the greater the life chances. Different types of capital are; Economic – material wealth, money and property. Cultural – Bourdieu argued social classes have a particular type of taste and preferences. Human – job skills, knowledge and education we have. Social – Putnam used this term to describe social networks and the different levels of trust in society e. g. old boys network.

Poverty and Wealth (1) Poverty – can be described in two ways; Absolute Poverty

Poverty and Wealth (1) Poverty – can be described in two ways; Absolute Poverty – level of income is below what is necessary for bare survival. Inability to get things like water, clothes and shelter. Those who fall beneath absolute poverty line are poor. Poverty line determined by calculating how much money is needed for the identified human necessities. Defines poverty in terms of peoples physical wants and needs. Expects people to not buy luxuries and be wise with money. Does not indicate how wealthy other people are. It’s easier to understand. Relative Poverty – Compares people’s wealth in society with others in society. People who fall beneath average living standards largely are considered poor. Because Britain is a affluent society it expects more than people able to eat. If some people are able to afford cars, the ones who aren't are considered poor. Criticised for blurring difference between genuine poverty and inequality. This is because it may describe someone as poor when in fact they have access to necessities and some luxuries. However, it does take in account of lifestyles and income of everybody so it gives an idea of distribution of wealth.

Poverty and Wealth (2) Wealth – property that can be sold or turned into

Poverty and Wealth (2) Wealth – property that can be sold or turned into cash for the benefit of the owner e. g. land, houses or bank deposits. Can be linked to amount of status, power and prestige. Often passed down from generation to generation and therefore status, power and prestige can be inherited. Wealth Statistics – measure distribution of wealth, but are inaccurate; Surveys – People may not want to tell the truth. Rich Lists – based on rough estimates. Inland Revenue – when someone dies they calculate value of estate in order to see if any inheritance tax is due. People tend to avoid this by distributing wealth whilst they are alive. The Rich – they are; Traditional Aristocracy – major landowners e. g. Duke of Westminster. Owners of Industry and Commerce – business people e. g. Richard Branson. Stars in Entertainment and Media – fame e. g. Simon Cowell.

Poverty and Wealth (3) Income – is the flow of money which can be

Poverty and Wealth (3) Income – is the flow of money which can be obtained from work, investments or welfare benefits. There are three types; Earned income – from paid job. Unearned income – from shares or investments. Disposable income – earned and unearned income minus tax, includes state pension. Income is important in deciding life chances. Income Statistics – used to see distribution of wealth in society. Are inaccurate; British Household Panel Survey – does not cover whole population e. g. the homeless and people lie about income. The New Earnings Survey – annual survey which asks employers to give information about a sample of their workers. People earning less than the income tax threshold are not included. Time affects this because over time income can change. Class – no direct link but it is related to social class. Low pay – women, ethnic minorities, disabled etc. Income Inequality – it is widening in Britain and can be explained; Population changes – Britain has a ageing population, more people receiving pension and therefore more people on low income. Also single- parent families receive benefit which also affects this. Social Benefit – became less generous in 80 s and 90 s and increased the gap between rich and poor. Tax Cuts – governments decision helped good to high earners. National Minimum Wage - very low and people are still being paid it today. Labour Market – increasing gap between work rich and work less households. Wage inequality growth results in greater demand for skilled and qualified workers. Member ship and power of trade unions decreased.

Poverty and Wealth (4) Attempts to redistribute wealth and income – many believe it

Poverty and Wealth (4) Attempts to redistribute wealth and income – many believe it is not fair. Government has tried this with; Inheritance tax – when someone dies , higher value assets are taxed. Capital Gains tax – payable by those who deal in property and shares. Income Tax – payable by earned and unearned income people. Social Welfare Benefits – raising income of needy section of society. These however have not worked and the gap is getting bigger, this is because; Investments – rich find ways to invest their money in ways that allows their wealth to grow faster than it can be taxed. Tax relief – ability to claim back tax which has been paid. Tax avoidance – legal ways of avoiding tax. E. g. transferring wealth to another person, moving into accounts abroad etc Tax Evasion – illegal ways of avoiding tax. E. g. lying about wealth and is common among rich. Failure to claim benefits – many people don’t collect benefits they are entitled to.